Bret Michaels Opens America's Eyes to Living With Diabetes

Bret Michaels has been living a life that is a double-edged sword. He has had a phenomenal music career with Poison, has become a reality show star, and is currently a contestant on Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. He also is a Type 1 diabetic and suffered a brain hemorrhage last month. Brett is appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show this week to discuss his latest health crisis, the first appearance he has made since falling ill.

During the Celebrity Apprentice, Michaels won his task as project manager to donate a nice sum of money to the charity he is playing for, appropriately the Juvenile Diabetes Association. He demonstrated how someone living with diabetes can live an exceptional life with the proper control. We also through him the lows when diabetes is put on the back burner and his sugars levels dropped too low.

The most heart-wrenching moment of the season was when he learned that his daughter might be diabetic. Type-1 diabetes can be passed to children. Every parent wants their children to be safe and healthy and the agony that Bret was in, blaming himself for his daughter's potential illness, was palpable.

 As a parent, a fan, and a podiatrist in Houston, TX, I wish a full and speedy recovery to Bret Michaels. I hope he continues to share his experiences to raise awareness of those living with diabetes.